ABSTRACT
The nutritional status of children living under conflict is an important issue. The aim of the present study is to review all available data on malnutrition in preschool Palestinian children and provide objective results concerning the epidemic of malnutrition. The literature for all research on the prevalence of malnutrition on Palestinian children with data collected during the period 1998-2007 was reviewed. Der Simonian-Laird Random effects model for meta-analysis was applied and cumulative analyses were performed to determine time-trends for each outcome measure [iron deficiency anemia [IDA], wasting, underweight and stunting]. The results showed that 39.5% of the children suffered from IDA, 2.9% from wasting, 4.7% were underweight and 10.9% stunted. The cumulative analyses showed a peak in the prevalence of IDA during 1999, followed by an irregular decrease afterward. The proportion of wasted and underweight children peaked during 2002 and 2004, respectively, both showing a gradual decline afterward. Chronic malnutrition appears to be almost similar during the decade 1998-2007, by demonstrating small, irregular oscillations. Although the prevalence of malnutrition among Palestinian preschool children has been improved during the studied period, it still remains high. Additionally, the results show that interventions/aid have acute effects on the health of children. None
ABSTRACT
To assess the anthropometric characteristics and dietary intake of the Greek national cross-country skiing team. Thirty-three athletes [10 females aged 20 +/- 5 years; 23 males aged 20 +/- 6 years old] participated in the study. All athletes were members of the Greek national ski team, and they had been selected to take part in the Winter Olympics, World Ski Championships, European Ski Championships or other international events, according to their performance. Body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance [BIA] and skinfold thickness. The athletes recorded their physical activity and dietary intake for 3 training days, and on a competition day. The female skiers had 14.2 +/- 1.9% body fat, the men 11.0 +/- 1.5% body fat. Female athletes consumed a diet of 1988 +/- 319 Kcal during training days and 2011 +/- 330 Kcal during competition days. Male athletes consumed 2255 +/- 790 Kcal and 2125 +/- 639 Kcal respectively. These values are below those recommended for highly active people. During the training period, carbohydrate, fat and protein contributed to 44.5 +/- 7.1%, 39.2 +/- 5.3% and 16.1 +/- 3.7% of the total energy intake [EI] respectively for the males, and to 52.8 +/- 5.6%, 33.0 +/- 3.7% and 14.3 +/- 2.5% of the EI of the women. Between training and competition days, men demonstrated an increased carbohydrate and reduced fat consumption when competing [P<0.001 for both]. Women, on the other hand, consumed more carbohydrate and less protein during competition days [P<0.05 for both]. Protein intake was within the recommended range for both males and females, but fat exceeded the recommended values and was consumed at the expense of carbohydrate. Vitamins B12, D, E and K, biotin, folate, Ca, Mg, K, I were inadequately consumed [below the RDA] by both women and men, while the women also exhibited inadequate intakes of iron and the men of manganese. The inadequate energy and nutrient intake in the Greek national cross-country ski team could put the athletes at risk of nutritional deficiencies, and possibly compromise their athletic performance